And There Was Light

Rating:
Summary: Worse than its predecessor
Review: Bunk! Pure and simple. Rocco Errico is simply continuing his assault on Biblical exegesis and orthodox interpretation. What is so beguiling is the impression that this book is going to share some insights into the unique culture of Aramaic speaking people and how the original biblical text might have been understood, and therefore better interpreted for today. However this is not the case, but rather a compilation of bad logic, offensively false doctrine, and pure ignorance of textual interpretation. Rocco Errico may be a fine linguist, but he is no theologian.

Rating:
Summary: Gives you things to think about.
Review: I know that a book like this has the potential to be a bit controversial considering the subject matter-The Bible. Many strict Christians will disagree with a lot of what is said for sure. This book is for those who are looking for a more logical, spiritual explanation of The Bible and Jesus.
Since there are hundreds of theories on the bible, I'm sure not all will be satisfied.
What I really loved about this book is that Errico did convince me that an Aramaic perspective really helps shed light on a lot of idoims and passages of the bible. Why? Because they have so many expressions that were never meant to be taken literally (like it's raining cats & dogs in english). Errico explains that Aramaic is a very colorful language and is known for many colorful expressions and unique idioms and cultural things that the Bible is full of, page by page and to be taken without the Aramaic light is a very limited venture. I think it is fair to say that an Aramaic expert can shed much light on Jesus' parables and idioms of the New Testament. Not a Hebrew or Greek expert but an Aramaic expert. This book shows many instances where things never made sense to me and after reading it from the Aramaic perspective it all "clicked". It makes a lot more sense and there are very few things now that make you say "WHAT! Why the heck would Jesus say that???" As was always the case for me before.
Of course there are 1 or 2 things I might question here, maybe, but they are rather insignificant in light of the great explanations Errico puts forth.
I think anyone who has a more spiritual slant (not dogmatic religious ideas) will enjoy this book. It puts forth a more natural, enlightened Jesus who was more of a teacher of self realization. This book presents his teachings as an inner process of discovering what is within not a strong faith based kind of thing that is traditionally set forth. It takes Christianity out of "hellfire and brimstone" stuff and makes it much more nondogmatic and spiritual.

Rating:
Summary: The Bible according to the Semites
Review: This book continues in the same manner as "Let there Be Light" in opening up the bible. It helps explain some of the miss-translation as well as shed a new light from the Semitic point of view of the Middle East. Dr. Errico's style is easy to follow. This is a must for anyone looking for the truth in the scripture.

Rating:
Summary: The Bible according to the Semites
Review: This book continues in the same manner as "Let there Be Light" in opening up the bible. It helps explain some of the miss-translation as well as shed a new light from the Semitic point of view of the Middle East. Dr. Errico's style is easy to follow. This is a must for anyone looking for the truth in the scripture.